Support for Federal Employees and Researchers in Weather-Related Agencies
In the past few weeks, numerous federal workers have found themselves out of a job. Funding for research, particularly in the fields of weather, water, and climate, has been slashed, and these disciplines have come under intense scrutiny. Many affected professionals are part of these specialized fields. This week, the American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association (NWA) have stepped up to support their members and affiliates who are feeling the blow.
So, what's the deal with the AMS, you ask? This esteemed organization is a globally recognized powerhouse in the world of weather, water, and climate enterprise. With three key areas of focus - science, community, and advancement - the AMS publishes influential, peer-reviewed publications, organizes scientific meetings, and reunites academia, industry, and government sectors. The AMS community consists of students, scientists, educators, researchers, enthusiasts, and even some TV meteorologists. They champion professional development through certifications and online learning options, with the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist being a popular choice among weather personalities.
The AMS has been proactive in responding to the recent funding and staffing changes in the federal sector. In a blog post, AMS's executive committee, led by President David Stensrud, voiced their concerns about the impacts on the weather and climate enterprise. Anticipating the effects on their community and beyond, AMS announced several measures to help weather and climate professionals navigate these uncertainties.
Starting the following week, AMS will grant temporary access to various services without requiring the payment of 2025 membership fees. These services will include the job board, access to webinars, and online journal content. AMS will also grant significant discounts on virtual and in-person meeting registrations and waive 2025 professional membership dues for those who have lost their jobs due to federal changes. Additionally, the organization encourages feedback on what further actions they can take to assist the weather, water, and climate enterprise and its affected members.
On Valentine's Day, the NWA, a smaller yet influential professional society, issued a statement in solidarity with federal employees. The NWA highlighted the critical role weather and climate information play in the U.S. economy and stressed the importance of continued federal support for these sectors. The NWA Board of Directors emphasized that any negative impacts on federal workers along the supply chain could compromise the safety of U.S. citizens and undermine critical protective services.
Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there's not much information on specific initiatives or support measures from the NWA to help those affected by the recent job losses and funding cuts. However, the AMS has taken significant strides to ensure their members and the broader weather, water, and climate community are supported during this challenging time.
The American Meteorological Society (AMS) and the National Weather Association (NWA) share the same 'nws' and 'climate' concerns. Trump's administration's actions have led to 'fired' federal workers in these fields, affecting organizations like AMS and NWA. The AMS, under President David Stensrud, has taken initiatives to help its members, offering temporary access to services with waived fees and discounted meeting registrations. The NWA, in a show of solidarity, has issued a statement highlighting the critical role of weather and climate information. Despite being less detailed, NWA is expected to provide support measures for the affected community. The AMS, with its programs like the AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, has always supported 'meteorologist' professional development.
[Note: The 'ams' mentioned in the text refers to the American Meteorological Society, and 'ams' in the list refers to the 95a333aff849a4bf39a0b39c0a659e7f hash identifier.]
